ince the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the country has faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Nearly eight million Afghans have fled their homes, escaping oppressive rule, persecution, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, rampant violence, and systematic human rights violations. Today, Afghan refugees are caught between restrictive U.S. policies delaying their resettlement and forced deportations from host countries stripping them of desperately needed sanctuary.
At Displaced International, many of us have personally experienced forced migration. The U.S. resettlement process—marked by rigorous security screenings and medical evaluations—aims to protect American communities while ensuring refugees can rebuild their lives. Afghan refugees in the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and P1–P4 categories have already undergone these stringent checks, proving their commitment to U.S. interests at great personal risk. It is unconscionable that those vetted and approved now face further delays under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Executive Order.
Exempting Afghan refugees from this Executive Order is not just an administrative adjustment—it is a moral and strategic necessity. Since August 2021, over 134,000 SIV applications have been submitted, yet only a fraction have been approved. Thousands of vetted Afghan allies remain in limbo, while those on humanitarian parole in the U.S. live under constant threat of losing legal status, healthcare, and employment. Processing delays betray U.S. commitments to those who risked their lives for the country and burden already overwhelmed neighboring states.
The crisis is compounded by overlapping challenges. Over 23.7 million Afghans require urgent humanitarian assistance, with 11.6 million facing catastrophic food insecurity. About 3.2 million people are internally displaced, struggling in overcrowded camps with limited access to essentials. Climate vulnerabilities—including floods, droughts, and harsh winters—further devastate livelihoods, forcing families from their lands. Every day matters for those seeking refuge and rebuilding shattered lives.
Beyond U.S. policy, Afghan refugees face mounting dangers in host countries. Pakistan, once a critical sanctuary, has forcibly repatriated over 800,000 Afghan refugees since 2021. A recent directive setting a March 31 deportation deadline in Islamabad and Rawalpindi threatens to dismantle decades of humanitarian goodwill by returning vulnerable individuals to perilous conditions.
For many Afghans, Pakistan has been a lifeline. Forced deportations violate international principles, such as non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to danger, and dismantle fragile protection systems. A broad-brush approach to deportations, without considering individual circumstances, risks sending thousands back into the violence they fled.
This crisis demands a dual response. The U.S. must exempt Afghan refugees from restrictive executive measures to honor the sacrifices of those who supported its missions. Simultaneously, Pakistan must uphold its humanitarian commitments—halting forced returns, strengthening refugee protections, and working with international agencies for dignified, orderly resettlement.
The stakes are the safety and dignity of millions of Afghans who have endured unspeakable hardship. We urge policymakers in both countries and the broader international community to set aside bureaucratic hurdles and prioritize this humanitarian imperative. Afghan refugees must receive the protection they need—through resettlement or voluntary repatriation—until conditions in Afghanistan tangibly improve.
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A dual call on the U.S. and Pakistan to protect Afghan refugees
Bamyan, Afghanistan. Photo by Zabihullah Habibi from Unsplash.
February 25, 2025
Since the Taliban’s takeover, nearly eight million Afghans have fled their homes and now face restrictive U.S. resettlement policies and forced deportations from host nations. Urgent action is needed to protect vulnerable lives and ensure humane solutions, writes M. Ashraf Haidari.
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ince the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the country has faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Nearly eight million Afghans have fled their homes, escaping oppressive rule, persecution, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, rampant violence, and systematic human rights violations. Today, Afghan refugees are caught between restrictive U.S. policies delaying their resettlement and forced deportations from host countries stripping them of desperately needed sanctuary.
At Displaced International, many of us have personally experienced forced migration. The U.S. resettlement process—marked by rigorous security screenings and medical evaluations—aims to protect American communities while ensuring refugees can rebuild their lives. Afghan refugees in the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and P1–P4 categories have already undergone these stringent checks, proving their commitment to U.S. interests at great personal risk. It is unconscionable that those vetted and approved now face further delays under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Executive Order.
Exempting Afghan refugees from this Executive Order is not just an administrative adjustment—it is a moral and strategic necessity. Since August 2021, over 134,000 SIV applications have been submitted, yet only a fraction have been approved. Thousands of vetted Afghan allies remain in limbo, while those on humanitarian parole in the U.S. live under constant threat of losing legal status, healthcare, and employment. Processing delays betray U.S. commitments to those who risked their lives for the country and burden already overwhelmed neighboring states.
The crisis is compounded by overlapping challenges. Over 23.7 million Afghans require urgent humanitarian assistance, with 11.6 million facing catastrophic food insecurity. About 3.2 million people are internally displaced, struggling in overcrowded camps with limited access to essentials. Climate vulnerabilities—including floods, droughts, and harsh winters—further devastate livelihoods, forcing families from their lands. Every day matters for those seeking refuge and rebuilding shattered lives.
Beyond U.S. policy, Afghan refugees face mounting dangers in host countries. Pakistan, once a critical sanctuary, has forcibly repatriated over 800,000 Afghan refugees since 2021. A recent directive setting a March 31 deportation deadline in Islamabad and Rawalpindi threatens to dismantle decades of humanitarian goodwill by returning vulnerable individuals to perilous conditions.
For many Afghans, Pakistan has been a lifeline. Forced deportations violate international principles, such as non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to danger, and dismantle fragile protection systems. A broad-brush approach to deportations, without considering individual circumstances, risks sending thousands back into the violence they fled.
This crisis demands a dual response. The U.S. must exempt Afghan refugees from restrictive executive measures to honor the sacrifices of those who supported its missions. Simultaneously, Pakistan must uphold its humanitarian commitments—halting forced returns, strengthening refugee protections, and working with international agencies for dignified, orderly resettlement.
The stakes are the safety and dignity of millions of Afghans who have endured unspeakable hardship. We urge policymakers in both countries and the broader international community to set aside bureaucratic hurdles and prioritize this humanitarian imperative. Afghan refugees must receive the protection they need—through resettlement or voluntary repatriation—until conditions in Afghanistan tangibly improve.
